As I have previously discussed, the Pennsylvania Health
Department under Republican Governor Tom Corbett sued the Montgomery County
Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes to stop him from issuing marriage licenses to
same-sex couples. Despite Pennsylvania’s
law defining marriage as between a man and woman, Hanes issued 164 marriage
licenses of which 98 were completed and filed.

Commonwealth Court Judge Dan Pellegrini ordered Hanes to
stop issuing licenses, stating it is up to the General Assembly or Pennsylvania
courts to determine whether the law should not be obeyed or enforced.

A challenge to Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban is now
pending in federal court; however, it is not immediately clear what will happen
to the couples who have already received licenses.